Casts or braces that are used for fracture treatment are usually used for these same time periods – a typical wrist or ankle fracture
How long do splint casts stay on?
A splint usually stays on for
several days to weeks
. If the injured area is very swollen, a splint may be used first to allow for that swelling. If you need a cast, your doctor will remove the splint and apply a cast. Casts that are kept in good condition can stay on for several weeks.
When should you stop wearing a splint?
Don’t wear your working splint overnight unless you’ve been told to by your therapist or nurse. When you take the splint off, make sure that you do some gentle wrist, finger and thumb exercises to help stop your joints from stiffening up. Stop wearing your splint if it:
rubs or causes pain
.
How long should a splint stay on?
A splint usually stays on for
several days to a week
. If your injury causes swelling, you may need a splint until the swelling goes away. You may still need a cast after swelling goes down. Also, if your injury is swollen, both splints and casts may need to be adjusted in the first few days.
How many hours a day should I wear a splint?
In a patient with both flexion and extension splinting needs, the flexion splint can be worn
1 hour on and 2 hours off during the day
and the extension splint can be worn at night.
Is a splint better than a cast?
Splints, also known as half-casts,
provide less support than casts
, but are faster and easier to use. They also can be tightened or loosened easily if the swelling in the arm or leg increases or decreases.
Is a splint heavier than a cast?
A cast is typically a fiberglass construct that can be molded specifically to the needs of the fracture and can be worn for several weeks as needed. This is
more rigid than the temporary splint
, but both may feel fairly heavy.
Should you sleep with a splint on?
“If you have had a fall or think you may have fractured your hand or wrist,
it is OK to wear a brace overnight until you can get to the doctor’s office
,” says Dr. Delavaux. “But be sure to get it checked out, especially if the pain doesn’t get better after a day or two.”
How tight should splints be?
if you have NUMBNESS/TINGLING of your fingers/hand/arm/toes/foot/leg. Remember: move them!!! if your cast feels TOO TIGHT. Your cast was applied in such a way as to minimize excessive movement and therefore
should be snug but NOT too tight
(there is a difference!).
Can I remove my splint to shower?
Tape a sheet of plastic to cover your splint when you take a shower or bath, unless
your doctor said you can take it off while bathing
. If you can take the splint off when you bathe, pat the area dry after bathing and put the splint back on. If your splint gets a little wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer.
Is it bad to take off a splint?
A splint protects a broken bone or other injury. If you have a removable splint, follow your doctor’s instructions
and only remove the splint if your doctor says it’s okay
. Most splints can be adjusted.
What’s the difference between a splint and a brace?
Splints are often used
temporarily when swelling is present
. They are usually replaced with a more permanent cast after the swelling goes down. A brace is made of hard plastic and can be removed by you or your child.
What to avoid while wearing a cast?
Do not stick objects such as coat hangers inside the splint or cast to scratch itching skin
. Do not apply powders or deodorants to itching skin. If itching persists, contact your doctor. If something gets stuck inside your cast it may irritate your skin, so contact your doctor.
Should you wear a wrist brace all day?
Generally a splint gives a higher level of support and speeds up the healing process. This is ideal for night time use however can be worn
during the day
enabling you to carry out most daily activities. Wrist Splints are ideal for conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sprains, or Wrist Tendonitis.
How long will I be off work with a broken wrist?
In most cases it takes
around 6 to 8 weeks
to recover from a broken arm or wrist. It can take longer if your arm or wrist was severely damaged. You will need to wear your plaster cast until the broken bone heals.
Should you wear a splint after cast removal?
You should have been given a
removable splint when your cast was removed
. Continue to wear this at night and for protection in busy environments, such as on public transport. It is important to start wrist exercises as soon as the cast is removed.
